Tom Petty has reactivated his original band Mudcrutch for shows and a new album for 2016.

Mudcrutch, the forerunner to The Heartbreakers, is Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Tom Leadon, Randall Marsh, and Benmont Tench. Leadon is the brother of Bernie Leadon of Eagles fame.

Petty and Leadon formed Mudcrutch in Gainsville, Florida in 1970. Mike Campbell was part of the original line-up. Benmont Tench joined later.

Leadon left in 1972 and in 1974 the band signed to Shelter Records but only released one single ‘Depot Street’ before breaking up in 1975.

Petty, Campbell and Tench then went on to form Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1976.

In 2007, during a hiatus for the Heartbreakers, Petty invited original Mudcrutch member Randall Marsh and Tom Leadon to reform and finally record their debit album. ‘Mudcrutch’ was released in 2008 and featured songs unused from the 70s and new songs written for the record.

Mudcrutch planned to start working on a second album in August 2015 but those sessions have been delayed due to a medical issue with Leadon.

However the band has now been announced to headline the Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati, OH in July and the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, IL in May.

https://youtu.be/Ln7F-a05aQI